John Biggan

This District of Innovation Plan, enacted under House Bill 1842, aims to secure exemptions from specific provisions of the Texas Education Code to enhance the District's operational flexibility and efficiency. The plan addresses key areas such as class size limits for Prekindergarten through 4th grade, the flexibility of the school start date, probationary contract periods for experienced teachers, and local certification requirements for Career and Technical Education (CTE) and World Languages teachers. Additionally, it provides guidelines for extending school district depository contracts. The overall objective is to reduce administrative burdens, optimize resource utilization, and align with the District's overarching vision, mission, and strategic plan.

The council discussed various department updates including changes to the science and health curriculum, specifically the shift from health as a graduation requirement to personal and financial literacy. Safety updates were provided regarding the installation of Raptor badge alerts, acquisition of new servers and surveillance cameras, the success of Random Intruder Audits, and the status of School Resource Officer staffing. Mental health initiatives were highlighted, including state-mandated prevention training for students and new counselor training for grief support and emotional regulation techniques. Health services reported on CPR and Stop the Bleed initiatives, while child nutrition addressed communication strategies for PreK meal applications. The council also deliberated on options for increasing SRO presence on campuses, enhancing the visual appeal of security equipment, and ensuring dietary accommodations for students with health conditions.

The committee discussed updates regarding the science and health curriculum, specifically the training on marijuana and alcohol simulation kits. Safety enhancements were reviewed, including the installation of new cameras and the implementation of a panic alert badge system for staff. The committee also covered counseling and mental health goals under Title IV, Part A, and health services initiatives such as the Save-A-Smile program and the acquisition of new automated external defibrillators for athletic events. Family engagement updates focused on bilingual parent classes, newsletter initiatives, and strategies for providing resources to families during holidays and breaks.

The meeting included a roll call to establish attendance. Department updates were provided covering Science/Health Curriculum training on simulation kits, Safety and Emergency Response, updates from Counseling/Mental Health services, and Health Services including continued screenings, looking into vision resources, and the receipt of traveling AEDs for athletics. Child Nutrition and Family Engagement also provided updates regarding parent classes, newsletters featuring holiday events, and future learning series announcements. A primary discussion item involved soliciting suggestions for other programs to be reviewed by the SHAC.

This strategic plan outlines HEB ISD's approach to ensure compliance with HB2 teacher certification requirements by the 2029-2030 school year, addressing statewide staffing challenges and maintaining high-quality instruction. The plan focuses on enhancing the 'Grow Your Own Pipeline' through Teacher Assistant to Teacher Training and Educator in Training programs, and evaluating potential participation in TEA LASO Preparing and Retaining Educators (PREP) initiatives. Key strategies include tracking certification progress, developing mentoring programs, establishing EPP partnerships, and facilitating collaboration between Human Resources and Educational Operations leadership teams.